Chief Investigator: Dr Macarena Gonzalez

Funding Amount : $100,000

Recipient: The University of Adelaide

Overview: Fetal growth restriction causes 5.4% of perinatal deaths in Australia and a 3-fold increase in offspring chronic disease development. Paternal ageing is a risk factor for fetal growth restriction, contributing to infant birth defects. With over 40,000 children born to fathers over 40 years old each year, preventing this growth restriction development and improving child health is critical. This research will investigate how advanced age of the father impacts fetal growth by analysing gene expression and histological defects in offspring tissues. A novel preconception therapy (BGP-15) to reverse the effects of advanced paternal age on child health will be explored.